KATIE ROWE headed all the girls of her age in placing third of 98 finishers in the under-15 race at the big McCain UK Cross Challenge Series in Liverpool.

It was a case of ‘mission accomplished’ said the 14-year-old’s father Alan, the former Island Games multi-gold medallist and world triathlon champion, who also had the satisfaction of seeing his son, Alex, make a fine big race debut in the under-13 boys’ event.

The event at Sefton Park is seen as the first big test of the winter race programme and to finish third was a very encouraging display by Guernsey’s double national cross-country champion.

The two girls who finished ahead of Rowe are both highly accomplished runners and, importantly, a year older than the Sarnian.